Random musings on life, society, and politics

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced plans today for a vote at 1 a.m. this Monday on a bill to fund the government through Feb. 8th. The move is designed to force Democrats to either agree to reopen the government without concessions on immigration and other issues, or to vote again for a government shutdown, which Republicans believe will hurt Democrats.

This partisan strategy was concocted by Donald Trump and McConnell, who have been talking by phone throughout the day today. Trump and McConnell, along with House Speaker Paul Ryan, have struck a defiant tone, refusing to consider any of the Democratic demands on immigration or other issues until there is a “bipartisan agreement” to reopen the federal government.

So basically, for Trump and the GOP leadership, it’s all about politics. Screw the nine million CHIP kids who need healthcare. Screw the 800,000 DACA DREAMers whose lives are in a constant state of flux.